Knockhall Academy Newsletter

Knockhall Academy Newsletter
27th March 2015
Issue No. 5 of Term 4
From The Principal
The last week of term has been a busy one and the children began the week with Rewards and Achievement Assembly in which
we were also treated to some Irish Dancing from the Monday Dance Club. A lively start! Prizes and certificates were given out
for outstanding achievement and the most improved in every class, year group and key stage. In addition there were awards for
Sport and for Attendance.
Year 4 had a great time at Arethusa and came back tired but happy on Wednesday. Many thanks to all the staff who gave up
their time to organsie and run this trip. Similarly Year 1 had a fantastic time at the Toy Museum in Bethnal Green on Tuesday and
particular thanks to the staff and parent volunteers who helped to make the visit possible.
The Easter Bonnet parade was another great success and the children looked fabulous in their ingeniously designed hats – the
bonnets were good enough to eat in many cases!
The Data Dashboard termly reports have been issued today and the on-line booking system for Parents’ Evening is now open.
Please log on to book your appointment and do contact the Academy Office if you have any difficulty; Linda and Yvonne will be
happy to help.
Vice Principal interviews took place on Thursday. A great deal of work and planning is involved in preparing for the interview
schedule and I am grateful to all involved in that process. We had a very strong field of candidates and have taken one person
through to the second stage and final interview after the Easter break. I will inform you of the outcome in due course.
We are looking forward to Term 5 and will have fully qualified staff in all classes across the Academy. Mrs Vicky Rezaie, who will
be taking charge of all our Data and Assessment processes, is also joining us. She will be supporting Years 1 and 2 as well. A Lilac
Sky SENCO has been assigned to Knockhall along with an Outstanding Teaching and Learning Coach for Terms 5 and 6.
During the summer term we will be providing two Film and Media clubs; one for KS2 and another for KS1. The first of these
begins after Easter and letters have already been issued. The second will be presented to KS1 in an Assembly. Both clubs are
being provided by external providers and are of very high quality. Children will learn how to make films using professional
equipment and will be making real films themselves. This is a great opportunity for children and although there is a cost it is
quite low when broken down over the 10-12 week period. Places are limited and will be allocated on first come first served basis.
The SATs booster classes take place over Easter and all of Year 6 should now be very focused on doing the best they can in the
th
real SATs, which take place during the week beginning 11 May 2015. The results are very important in moving to Secondary
School and we all need to support our Year 6 children to be the best they can be.
Finally, you will have seen a significant Police and Traffic Warden presence this week outside the Academy. The Police are
supporting us in preventing drivers from parking on the Zig Zag lines. They will prosecute offenders and I would urge all parents
to also support the Academy in keeping our children safe and parking responsibly.
Many thanks for your continued support and involvement and can I wish you and your families a very Happy Easter holiday. We
return on Monday 13 April ready for Term 5.
Very best wishes,
Stephen.
Kent News
You may have seen an article in Kent News about the former Headteacher of Knockhall, Mr Robert Juniper. Mr Juniper is facing
charges relating to financial matters at a previous school. I would like to re-assure parents that these matters have no bearing on
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Knockhall Academy and that the investigation conducted initially by Kent County Council and then by the Police does not involve
Knockhall Academy, its staff or pupils in any way.
Important Dates for your Diary
Star Pupils
William Bellow - Year 6
Millie O’Sullivan - Year 6
Amy Hesmer - Year 5
Danielle Colyer - Year 5
Tom Atkinson - Year 3
James Weekes - Year 3
Lacey Williams - Year 2
Matthew Mercer - Year 2
Lulu Juniper - Year 1
Annabelle Symonds - Year 1
Aisha Lawal - Year 1
Miley Valentine - Year R
Wynona Bell - Year R
Varshinie Arunan – Year R
Nursery
Enitan Omoniyi- AM
Joseph Mooney - PM
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
13 April
14 April
15 April
16 April
17 April
First day of
Term 5
Groovy
Movers
(after
school)
Groovy
Movers
(after
school)
The following clubs will return week
commencing Monday 20th April:
Irish Dancing, Chess, Table Tennis,
Boom Academy, Gymnastics
Parents’ Evening for Nursery
Fundraising
Monday 20th April from 2.00pm until
6.00pm
and Tuesday 21st April from 2.00pm
nuntil 6.00pm
Thank you for helping to raise
£123 on World Book Day
£521 at the Book Fair
£265 for Red Nose Day
There is a schedule in the Nursery foyer
for you to sign up to your preferred time.
Illness
Term 5 begins on
Monday 13th April 2015
Please be advised that the Health Protection Agency
guidelines clearly state that children suffering from
vomiting are recommended to be kept away from school
or nursery for 24 hours from the last episode of vomiting.
Children suffering from diarrhoea are recommended to be
kept away from school or nursery for 48 hours from the
last episode of diarrhoea.
Parents’ Evening for Reception to Year 6
Wednesday 22nd April from 3.30pm until 6.50pm
and Thursday 23rd April from 3.30pm until 5.30pm
The on-line booking system is now open until Monday 20th April
Please copy and paste the following link into your browser to log in
https://knockhall.parentseveningsystem.co.uk
2
Times of the Academy Day
Arrival
Academy Term Dates 2014/2015
Term 4
23 February – 30th March
Term 5
th
13 April – 22nd May
Term 6
1st June – 24th July
rd
8.40am
Morning Break
Reception
KS1
KS2
Lunch
Reception
KS1
KS2
Afternoon Break
Reception
KS1
KS2
Home
Children depart
10.15am to 10.45am
(child initiated)
10.30am – 10.50am
10.30am – 10.50am
Staff Development Days will be on:
30th March 2015
23rd and 24th July 2015
11.50am – 12.50pm
12.00pm – 1.00pm
12.00pm – 1.00pm
Child initiated
None
None
3.15pm
Summer Dresses
Please note that summer dresses can be worn from Term 6 (1st June onwards).
Following a number of parent enquiries, we have been advised that the academy uniform supplier, Price &
Buckland, are not now able to supply lilac checked summer dresses. We have been able to source the
correct style and colour of dress and it is available from ASDA. Please see details below:
Girls School Bow Pocket, Gingham Dress – Purple
From £4.00 Sizes 3-4 up to 13 -14 years
The link to the website is
http://direct.asda.com/george/school/dresses/girls-school-bow-pocket-gingham-dresspurple/G004897805,default,pd.html
3
Cool Milk Scheme
Our academy provides a milk scheme that is available to all of our pupils and we would like to invite you
to register your child. School milk is free for all under-fives and is subsidised for pupils aged five or
older at around £15.00 a term.
Each pupil that registers with Cool Milk will receive a carton of semi-skimmed milk every day, which is
delivered fresh and chilled to the classroom. Their school milk will not only provide them with essential
nutrients, but as it is rehydrating and energy boosting it also bridges the gap between breakfast and
lunch to help children stay focused.
Find out the top ten reasons to drink school milk at www.coolmilk.com/whyschoolmilk
How to register
Milk is completely free for all children aged under five and is subsidised for children aged five and
older. Simply register at www.coolmilk.com or complete the registration form sent home with your
child this week.
My child is under five
 Just register by Tuesday at 5pm for your child’s free milk to start the following week.
 Free milk will continue until the Friday before your child’s fifth birthday. You will receive a
payment request three weeks before this time - if you wish your child to continue to receive
school milk simply make a payment.
My child is five or older
 Complete the registration form or register online as soon as possible. Shortly after registering
your will receive a payment request.
 You can pay Cool Milk either online, over the phone, at a local PayPoint or by cheque in halftermly, termly or annual instalments.
 Please pay by Tuesday 5pm for your child’s milk to start the following week.
If you have any questions regarding school milk please visit www.coolmilk.com or contact Cool Milk
directly on 0844 854 2913.
Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers
We now have over 2,000 vouchers!
Please keep sending them in, they are available from the tills in Sainsbury’s until the beginning of May.
4
Contact Details
Please ensure we have your correct contact details. We have had a few instances recently where we have
been unable to reach parents/carers as we have not been given up-to-date contact details.
If you are in any doubt, please contact the office to check which current contact details we have for your
child.
Please also ensure you check out our website regularly as it will contain up to date information about school
closure. In the unlikely event of a closure you will be informed by our Schoolcomms text messaging service
and a message will be posted on our website. Your correct contact details are important!
knockhall.lilacskyschools.co.uk
Skipping Challenge Update
This week all the children have been taking part in activities that revolve around skipping to encourage
them to be more active and also to raise money via the British Heart Foundation Jump Rope Challenge.
Pupils have taken part in:
 a speedbounce, where they have to jump over a skipping rope as many times as they could in 30
seconds
 a limbo competition to encourage flexibility
 a skipping challenfge to see how many jumps they can do in a minute.
All the children showed great enthusiasm and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves whilst getting fit and
active. Please could you start bringing in the sponsorship forms and money to the school office, so we can
send it off to the charity.
The winners of the skipping challenge have been awarded their special certificates in assembly today.
Dartford Football Club Update
Due to the success of the Breakfast Football Club run by Dartford Football Club, they will be running an after
school football club with a cost of £2 per session on Fridays for Years 3-6. There will be more information
about the exact dates it will start at the beginning of next term.
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Last week, the boys played their final league game of the season against The Brent School here at
Knockhall. The boys won their thrilling match with a dominant display as they won 5-3. We finished
the league with a fantastic record of Played 8, Won 5, Lost 3 resulting in a fantastic third place in the
league overall.
There were some outstanding performances as they showed great team spirit and resilience. The
boys voted for their player of the season. Congratulations go to Joshua Watson for his brave
goalkeeping displays, the clear winner with six votes. Congratulations also to Ryan Searle who won
the most improved player of the year award. Well done, Knockhall boys, you had a fantastic season
and we are very proud of you!
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
F
A
+-
Pts
1
Oakfield
8
7
0
1
22
6
16
21
2
Temple Hill
7
6
1
0
22
8
14
19
3
Knockhall
8
5
0
3
19
13
6
15
4
Hextable
7
4
1
2
22
7
15
13
5
Joyden's Wood
6
3
0
3
16
10
6
9
6
Maypole
7
3
0
4
16
18
-2
9
7
The Brent
7
1
0
6
15
24
-9
3
8
Dartford Bridge
3
0
0
3
1
15
-14
0
9
Fleetdown
7
0
0
7
4
36
-32
0
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The girls’ football team has had a good season and sit in a fantastic fourth place with a record
of Played 5, Won 1, Drew 3, Lost 1. With a few games still remaining, they have a chance of
securing their place in the top four and competing in the championship play off! They have
consistently demonstrated great commitment and team spirit ! Well done Knockhall girls –
keep it going – We are so proud of you!
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
F
A
+-
Pts
1
Wentworth
6
3
2
1
14
5
9
11
2
Bean
6
3
0
3
7
9
-2
9
3
Temple Hill
2
2
0
0
4
0
4
6
4
Knockhall
5
1
3
1
10
10
0
6
5
Stone
1
1
0
0
3
0
3
3
6
Dartford Bridge
2
1
0
1
7
7
0
3
7
Fawkham
2
0
2
0
5
5
0
2
8
Craylands
2
0
1
1
0
1
-1
1
9
Westgate
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
Holy Trinity
2
0
0
2
0
4
-4
0
11
Oakfield
2
0
0
2
1
10
-9
0
7
Knockhall Academy
Attendance Percentages for Week 23/03/15 – 27/03/15
Authorised
Unauthorised
Class
Caterpillars
Bumble Bees
Butterflies
Foxes
Badgers
Rabbits
Woodpeckers
Owls
Attendance %
97.4
89.5
99.0
92.2
94.6
87.7
94.8
95.4
Absence %
1.1
8.4
0
7.0
5.0
12.3
0.7
0.4
Absence %
1.6
2.1
1.1
0.7
0.4
0
4.5
4.3
Lates
2.6
2.6
1.1
2.6
0.7
2.3
0
2.1
Squirrels
Deer
Hawks
Hedgehogs
Leopards
Giraffes
Lions
Tigers
94.9
95.6
95.6
100
94.3
94.8
97.1
94.2
3.8
3.0
2.2
0
5.7
0.7
1.9
5.0
1.4
1.5
2.2
0
0
4.4
1.0
0.8
0.7
1.1
2.2
1.5
0
1.5
0
0
Academy Attendance Target 96.3%
Summary of Attendance since September 2014
2014/2015
Date Week
Ending
27/03/15
20/03/15
13/03/15
06/03/15
27/02/15
13/02/15
06/02/15
30/01/15
23/01/15
16/01/15
09/01/15
19/12/14
12/12/14
05/12/14
28/11/14
21/11/14
14/11/14
07/11/14
17/10/14
10/10/14
03/10/14
26/09/14
19/09/14
12/09/14
05/09/14
Number On
Roll
Overall
Attendance
408
410
410
405
405
405
402
411
411
411
413
411
412
415
417
416
416
414
405
406
407
408
409
408
404
95.1
94.8
94.7
95.1
94.2
93.7
94.1
94.7
95.1
95.2
95.1
95.3
95.5
95.5
95.8
95.9
96.1
96.3
96.3
96.3
96.6
96.7
96.6
95.8
95.1
Weekly
Attendance
94.8
92.7
94.6
95.3
94.8
93.2
95.5
93.6
95.7
95.8
95.3
92.9
94.5
92.1
94.2
94.7
94.7
96.2
96.1
94.9
96.2
97.2
96.0
96.2
95.1
Unauthorised
Absence
Persistent Absentees
Under 85%
Persistent Absentees
Under 80%
1.6
1.0
1.0
1.4
1.6
1.6
2.0
0.6
0
0.2
1.0
0.7
1.7
3.9
2.6
2.1
1.6
0.7
1.3
2.0
0.9
0.6
1.3
1.2
1.9
6.1
6.3
5.9
5.9
5.2
6.7
7.0
6.2
6.3
6.1
6.8
4.6
5.6
5.5
5.7
5.0
4.3
5.5
4.9
3.9
4.7
6.1
8.1
5.6
7.9
3.7
3.7
3.9
3.2
3.5
3.2
3.0
5.3
5.4
3.2
3.4
2.7
2.4
2.6
2.6
2.4
2.2
2.9
2.2
3.2
3.2
2.2
4.6
5.1
6.9
8